NRFI Today: 3 NRFI Picks, Predictions, Best Bets for September 23, 2026

Today's Top NRFI Picks at a Glance

• Brewers at Phillies — NRFI
• Rays at Yankees — NRFI
• Guardians at Red Sox — NRFI

The MLB season is an annual marathon that gives us months of daily betting markets to consider.

While traditional player props like home runs and strikeouts remain popular options, one market that's gained steam is betting whether or not no runs will be scored in the first inning -- aka a No Run First Inning (NRFI) bet.

On FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds, we can find NRFI odds listed as 1st Inning 0.5 Runs under the Innings tab for each MLB game.

Please note: lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. You can also check out our MLB player news page to stay up to date with lineup news and injuries.

Check out the top home run picks and MLB props for today.

Best NRFI Picks and Predictions for Today

Brewers at Phillies NRFI

Logan Henderson and Aaron Nola give us an appealing pitching matchup to target when the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Philadelphia Phillies.

Henderson has been outstanding this season. Through 93.1 innings, he's worked to a 2.51 ERA and 2.75 expected ERA (xERA), and his underlying numbers back up the results.

The right-hander owns an excellent 30.7% strikeout rate alongside a tiny 4.6% walk rate. That gives him a massive 26.1% strikeout-minus-walk rate, and Henderson has limited hitters to a .181 batting average. His ability to miss bats and avoid free passes is exactly what we want from an NRFI starter.

Nola's full-season numbers aren't as impressive, but he's been pitching much better lately. He's posted a 2.10 ERA across his last 10 starts after struggling earlier in the campaign.

Nola has also struck out 23.7% of hitters this year. Plus, he has extensive history against the current Milwaukee roster, holding those hitters to a .298 wOBA over 152 career plate appearances.

With Henderson throwing at a high level and Nola trending in the right direction, Brewers-Phillies is my favorite NRFI bet of the night.

Rays at Yankees NRFI

There is plenty of offensive talent in this matchup, but Ian Seymour and Gerrit Cole have enough swing-and-miss ability to get us through the opening frame.

Seymour's 4.38 ERA isn't anything special, but his underlying profile is significantly better. He's generated a 3.64 xERA and 3.53 xFIP while striking out 29.0% of opposing hitters.

His control has been solid, too, with a 6.7% walk rate. Seymour's biggest issue has been the long ball, but if he can keep the ball in the yard for three outs, the rest of his profile is very NRFI-friendly.

Cole gives us a dependable arm on the other side. He's carrying a 3.63 ERA and 3.84 xERA while producing a 24.7% K rate against a superb 4.4% walk rate.

Current Tampa Bay Rays hitters have managed only a .279 wOBA across 160 career plate appearances against Cole, so the New York Yankees' starter has a good chance to handle the top of Tampa Bay's order.

The combination of strikeouts and strong control on both sides makes Rays-Yankees an NRFI matchup I like.

Guardians at Red Sox NRFI

Sonny Gray is the main reason I'm interested in the NRFI when the Cleveland Guardians take on the Boston Red Sox.

Gray has enjoyed a superb season, recording a 2.82 ERA across 163.0 innings. He's paired that with a 3.83 xERA and 3.50 FIP while surrendering only 0.88 homers per nine innings.

Although Gray's 22.1% strikeout rate isn't overwhelming, he's issued walks to only 6.8% of hitters. That combination gives him multiple paths to a clean first inning.

There's also a lengthy track record between Gray and Cleveland's current hitters. Across 140 career plate appearances, that group has produced only a .273 wOBA against him.

Foster Griffin isn't quite as trustworthy as Gray, but his full-season profile is respectable. Griffin owns a 3.67 ERA over 166.2 innings with a 21.8% strikeout rate, 6.5% walk rate, and 1.24 homers allowed per nine innings.

Griffin has been more volatile since joining Cleveland, so he's the concern in this NRFI. Still, the full-season control numbers are encouraging, and Gray gives the NRFI a strong foundation on the other side.

NRFI Betting — Frequently Asked Questions

What does NRFI mean in baseball betting?

NRFI stands for No Run First Inning. It's a baseball bet where you wager that neither team will score in the first inning. The opposite bet — at least one run scored in the first inning — is called YRFI (Yes Run First Inning).

How does a NRFI bet work?

A NRFI bet is settled when the first inning is completed. If both teams fail to score, your bet wins. If either team scores one or more runs, the bet loses. The final game score has no bearing on the outcome.

What is the difference between NRFI and YRFI?

NRFI bets that no runs will score in the first inning, while YRFI bets that at least one run will.

What stats should I look at for NRFI bets?

The most important factors are usually each starting pitcher's first-inning ERA, WHIP, and strikeout rate (K%). You should also look at each team's first-inning batting average and on-base percentage as well as individual player stats for the first few batters in the lineup for each team.

Can I parlay NRFI bets?

Yes, FanDuel lets you parlay NRFIs across multiple games on the same slate.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.